Paddle Sports in Micronesia

Scenic Wonders in a Paddler's Paradise

If Mother Nature created a theme park for paddlers, this would be it. A maze of small, uninhabited islands and sculpted limestone pinnacles lie scattered across a shallow, sparkling lagoon where coral heads, shipwrecks and even sleeping sharks can be seen in the clear waters just below. Even more intriguing are the tunnels and rock arches that bridge narrow channels leading to hidden lagoons. Here, paddlers are rewarded with coral gardens that have never seen a tour boat, and white-sand beaches with no hint of civilization. Nature lovers can also plan trips into a network of mangrove channels and canals where an ancient civilization once thrived.

Highlights

Best for: All travelers including divers, snorkelers, kayaking and exploring

Best season to visit: Year round

Weather: The tropical climate has very little seasonal variation, with air temperatures ranging between the low and high 80s from night to midday, and minimal variations in water temperatures. Dec - May are drier and rain is most common from July - Sept

Things to Do

Micronesia Information

Paddle Sports in Micronesia Overview

A number of unique paddling adventures can be enjoyed on the islands of Micronesia. Until the mid-20th century, coastal canals were the only way to access much of the island of Kosrae. In Palau, the limestone Rock Islands shelter numerous shallow coral reefs and create sheltered waterways that can be explored only by kayak. Yap offers twisting passages through mangrove forests and paddles across coastal lagoons to deserted beaches. Pohnpei provides similar adventures plus a chance to kayak through ancestral coastal canals and ruins.

Paddle Sports in Micronesia Tips

When planning a paddling excursion in the Rock Islands, seek local knowledge to determine the best times and routes, as some tunnels and caves can be negotiated only at low tide, and passes and channels are best done at slack or outgoing water. A guided tour is often the best option, as tour operators plan accordingly.

Best Places for Paddle Sports in Micronesia

The mangrove canals of Utwe-Walung Marine Park were once the heart of Kosrae Island's transportation network. A trip to Long Lake provides a chance to immerse in the healing waters of the Milky Way. The shores of Risong Bay are covered in exotic plants used in traditional medicines. Yap's mangrove forests are home to dozens of unique species of birds. At high tide, kayakers can paddle through the canals of Nam Madol. Pohnpei 's abandoned “Venice of the Pacific/”

What to Pack for Paddle Sports in Micronesia

A brimmed hat and moisture-wicking, long-sleeved water shirt will provide sun protection while also keeping you cool. Water shoes or waterproof hiking sandals are the ideal footwear. Add a floating retention strap to sunglasses. Bring plenty of water and a dry bag or watertight case that floats.

Micronesia

Palau Royal Resort

PALAU - Experience some of the world's best diving in Palau while staying at the Palau Royal Resort, located just minutes from the main city of Koror. When you're not diving, you can relax in the spa, by the pool, or on the private beach with amazing sunsets and views of the Rock Islands.

Passport and/or Visa Requirements

A valid passport is required for entry which must be valid for 6 months beyond your date of entry. The passport should have one blank page for entry stamp. No visa is required for stays less than 30 days. Proof of onward or return ticket may be required. Palau has a $50 departure tax and Green Fee, Yap, Pohnpei and Truk have a $20 departure tax and Kosrae has a $15 departure tax, all of which are not included and must be paid in the destination.

Immunizations

Thre are no vaccines required for entering Micronesia, but you should always check with your doctor the Centers for Disease Control on recommended vaccinations for travel here.

Culture and Customs

The group of more than 2,100 islands known collectively as Micronesia cover an expanse of the Pacific Ocean the size of the United States but have a combined landmass less than the state of Rhode Island. The region's ethnicity and culture is a mixture of Melanesians, Polynesians, and Filipinos. Due to their historic isolation from each other and the wider world, each island group developed unique traditions and beliefs. Colonial influences and the advent of jet-age tourism have brought metropolitan centers into the 21st century, while more remote out islands still hold to many of the old ways. Yap, in particular, is a land where daily life is centered around villages where the local chiefs conduct community affairs from the men's longhouse. Positioned outside many of these houses are giant stone wheels that represent one of the island's most interesting traditions. While the US dollar is now the official currency of Yap, hand-carved circular stones of up to 12 feet in diameter are still used as the local legal tender for the payment of dowry or the purchase of land. Fishing has long been an important staple of life on Palau and Chuuk. The traditions of craftsmanship once used to hand-build boats and weave palm-fiber clothing are also expressed in such as intricate wood carvings and decorative accessories fashioned from sea shells and ivory nuts. Reminders of the conflicts of World War II are found across the islands, with bunkers, gun placements and fortified caves now overgrown by the jungle, and every manner of discarded or lost war materiel from rifles to tanks lying hidden below the water.

Electricity, Phone and Internet Access

Electricity in Palau, Truk & Yap is 110 Volts, 60 cycles. If you travel with a device that does not accept 110 Volts at 60 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter.

Micronesia has a modern reliable telecommunication system. WiFi is available at many hotels. It is recommended that you check with your cell phone provider to see what international plans are available for voice, data and texting.

Water Quality

It is recommended by the CDC to not drink the tap water in Micronesia. Bottled water or purified water if supplied by the resort are best.

Language & Currency

Yap:

There are four indigenous languages in Yap: Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian and Satawalese. English is the official language of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and is commonly spoken and understood. Many elderly Yapese are fluent in Japanese.

The official currency in Yap is the US Dollar. Yap is famous for its Stone Money which is still in use for traditional exchanges such as the purchase of land or in village ceremonies.

There are two commercial banks in Yap, the Bank of the FSM and the Bank of Hawaii. U.S. currency is used. Major credit cards are accepted by most hotels, traveler's checks are recommended for purchases at restaurants and for shopping.

Palau:

The official language of Palau is English and Palauan.

Currency is the US Dollar (USD). There are banks in all the major tourist areas, where credit cards are widely accepted, at visitor-oriented businesses.

The official language of Truk is English, but Chuukese is also spoken.

The official currency is the U.S. Dollar (USD). There is a branch of The Bank of FSM located in Truk, although the hotel will be able to accept your major credit cards.

Micronesia follows the American custom and tipping is an accepted practice in restaurants, hotels, baggage handling.

Time

The Federated States of Micronesia and Palau to not observe Daylight Savings Time. Yap and Truk/Chuuk are 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+10 GMT). Pohnpei and Kosrae are 11 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+11 GMT). Palau is 9 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+9 GMT).

Location, Size and Population

The Federated States of Micronesia which includes Yap, Truk, Kosrae and Pohnpei are located in the western pacific approximately 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii, 450 miles southwest of Guam and 360 miles northeast of Palau. The Republic of Palau is an archipelago of over 500 islands in the western Pacific Ocean, the size of roughly 460 square miles. Palau is part of the Micronesia region. The most populated islands are Koror, Angaur, Peleliu and Babeldaob, the capital. About 2/3 of the population of Palau live on the island of Koror.

The population of Micronesia is 104,966 (2016), with 21,501 in Palau, 11,377 in Yap, and an estimated 53,000 in Truk.